Android 8.1 Oreo is official – Factory images available for Pixel and Nexus devices

Google rolled out the Developer Preview 2 to members of the Android Beta Program just last week, with the search giant promising the final Android 8.1 Oreo release due before the end of December. We didn’t have to wait long though because Google is rolling out the Android 8.1 update to everyone just a few days later.

Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL users that signed up to the Android Beta Program are pretty blasé with Android 8.1 Oreo by now but for people with the original Pixel or perhaps the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P, this is a pretty big leap. Changes include the relocation of the Google Search widget from the top of the home screen to just above the navigation keys, the addition of the At a Glance widget that gives you weather, date, and calendar information, as well as the Oreo Easter egg.

Something that many stock Android fans have clambered for over the years is the inclusion of a dark theme. While Google still hasn’t given us the ability to manually apply a dark theme throughout the UI, Android 8.1 will now detect whether you are using a light of dark wallpaper and automatically adjust the Quick Settings and App drawer to light or dark.

Thanks to the well-documented display issues of the Pixel 2 XL, the navigation bar will turn to a white background with grey buttons depending which app is used. When the navigation isn’t in use it should disappear into the background and only appear when needed.

The Android 8.1 Oreo update should be rolling out to your handset via OTA, but if you are the impatient type you can always download the relevant factory image for your Pixel or Nexus device directly from Google by clicking here. Android 8.1 Oreo factory images are available for the following devices:

Pixel 2/ Pixel 2 XL

Pixel / Pixel XL

Pixel C

Nexus 6P

Nexus 5X

If you’ve already installed the OTA or perhaps flashed the factory images, let us know about your experience with Android 8.1 Oreo

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